EH: A question for GSA—should we be funding these sort of events? And question of inclusion of other faiths?

MB: We do traditionally contribute to this specific sort of event from Theology, but that is a discussion the council can have: do you want to regularly endorse such events?

CR: Keep in mind, it might unfairly affect Theology’s events given the nature of their study.

HP: Should it depend on department?

KB: Perhaps it is rather about inclusion/exclusion within the Theology department? MT?

MT: I’m not entirely sure, and the question is interesting. For charter groups such as GGSSoC /LGBT—should those things be run exclusively by say, straight white allies? I would have a problem with that. But, part of our mission as a department is to forward the mission of Christian theology

AVW: What is the distinction between Christian theology and spirituality?

MT: I don’t feel prepared to answer that question fully.

MB: We can gather questions and send them onto JK if the Council feels.

RN: The bigger question is what do we fund: we fund graduate students and their endeavors. There is a strong possibility that some students came here because they have an expectation their education will be in the Jesuit, Christian tradition.

JY: The event is past tense, so it clearly was something that the community wanted.

YB: Agrees.

KL: It’s an honorarium, and the department did give it considerable funding.

MB: That suggests the Department does think it has a scholastic benefit.

1:46 Open Floor about Graduate Life

KB: Update on FICA tax

MB/CR: Vickie working through it—depends mostly on student status.

AVW: Do students applying for the PDG have a time limit for their project?

MB: The event must have occurred after the deadline of the previous PDG.

DS: Are there funding limits?

MB: $1500. And, on the subject of the PDG, we are currently accepting applications for the committee. Please encourage application.

JP: How long of a time commitment is it?

MB: Depends on number of apps, fall is traditionally somewhere around 50 applications.

1:57 November Social

MB: Dagger John’s may not happen, so do we want one pre-Thanksgiving?

KB: Post Thanksgiving?

MB: Maybe at LC?

2:03 Surplus

DS: Stay away from speakers, drinks, food. Use it for something meaningful.

YB: Perhaps potential of scholarship?

MB: Here are some ideas: a Graduate space, a big speaker, investment for future return, scholarship, or graduate student teaching award? Any other thoughts?

KB: Suggests increasing DDF funding.

AVW: Suggests funding more expansive research projects.

EH: Suggests funding ABD students who have run out of funding or summer research.

KL: Suggests a scholarship for IIHA students, who do not regularly benefit much from their student fees. Perhaps we could help them do thesis work: moving from work to field can be abrupt. What helps them is bringing them here. A scholarship where they could come to Fordham for a specific, short amount of time for writing and research would help.

MS: Could we solicit student opinions?

MB: Sure

YB: Suggests a partial scholarship for refugee students?

MB: We will organize a way for you all to submit proposals on these great ideas.

1:45 Marcus Schweiger (MS) gives a presentation on student efforts to turn Dagger John’s into a graduate student bar. Requests: (1) the support of the GSA in this effort, (2) monetary support for an opening event, (3) and willingness of reps to get the word out and poll their departments. Schweiger hopes Daggers could be a place of graduate socialization, employment, and general event space.

EH: Monetary support one time? Or recurring?

Schweiger: One time.

AVW: Is Aeromark setup for this?

Schweiger: It is established as a bar already on Fordham football game days.

MS: What would you need money for?

Schweiger: To hold a one time GSA event.

EH: How would they deal with below 21?

Schweiger: They have a system established on game days for ID checks. Dagger Jones was established as a full restaurant in the 90s.

EH: When would bar close?

Schweiger: Still negotiating days and times it would be open, but before they can go further they need the support of the GSA to get data to state this is a viable idea.

HP: Could we do a survey?

Schweiger: Yes

DS: Are their examples of this at other schools?

Schweiger: Yes. Yale, George Mason, Princeton, several others.

YB: Can you ID individuals before entry?

Schweiger: Space doesn’t facilitate it because of the other services available only through Dagger Jones such as Starbucks, Jamba, etc.

2:03 MB updates the council on recent news that some students are moving to create a union. They have an event coming Friday. Council reviews the way in which this procedure should move forward as per the council’s vote last year: from spokespeople to reps, to council, to Dewis, to Eva. Opens floor to questions and discussion of the issue.

DS: Should we be using Fordham email at all for this discussion? Or discussing it on school property? Asks if he can keep a neutral voice while facilitating communication.

MB: Certainly

YB: Student Union is an excellent idea because it protects the student and supports their goals.

MS: Is this a global trend?

MB: Certainly a trend in NYC and with recent court cases getting more momentum in general.

KL: What sort of repercussions would there be for those who are distance learning? IIHA has students that are not based in NYC.

CR: Unknown, we should learn more concerning their goals and who will be included at the meeting this Friday.